Minnikhanov: The Events of 922 Have Important Historical Significance for Russia

12 January 2022


This year marks the 1100th anniversary of the significant date that not only initiated the spread of Islam in modern Russia, but also became an important event in the life of the whole country. Many conferences, meetings, forums, round tables, exhibitions, publication of pre-revolutionary works by Russian theologians and many other events marking the anniversary are ahead. One of the first events was a meeting of the Republican Organizing Committee for preparation and celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the official adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria, held today under the chairmanship of President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.

 

Minnikhanov: The Events of 922 Have Important Historical Significance for Russia

 

‘The events of 922 have important historical significance for Russia’


The meeting was attended by representatives of the Federal Committee and members of the Republican Committee, heads of state and municipal authorities of the Republic of Tatarstan, centralized religious organizations, scientific and educational institutions, public associations and mass media. Within the framework of the meeting, the participants discussed the main tasks to implement the federal action plan, approved the republican action plan and also considered the draft logo of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam.

 

Minnikhanov: The Events of 922 Have Important Historical Significance for Russia

 

‘The events of 922 have important historical significance for Russia. The adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria as the state religion predetermined the formation of the unique Russian civilization that combines traditions of the West and the East. The development of Islam in the territory of the Russian Federation in cooperation with Orthodoxy and other conventional religions laid a solid foundation for peaceful coexistence and international harmony in the country. The solemn events dedicated to this date are aimed to promote unity of Russian Muslims, to show close connection of society and state in revival of traditional values of Muslim peoples of the country,’ the Chairman of the Republican Organizing Committee of the memorable date noted in his speech.


For the first time Izge Bolgar Zhyeny (holiday dedicated to the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria) was held in Bulgar in 1989 on the initiative of Sheikh Talgat Hazrat Tadzhuddin, Rustam Minnikhanov reminded the audience of this. Since then much work has been done to preserve the heritage of the ancestors.


‘One of the latest developments was the establishment of the Bolgarian Islamic Academy in 2016 with the support of the President of our country, Vladimir Putin. The Academy provides all the conditions to study the rich centuries-old heritage of Russian theologians and to establish a dialogue between representatives of different Islamic legal schools. The Academy’s activities are also aimed at uniting the country’s Muslim community on the basis of traditional for Russian Muslims values,’ Minnikhanov added.

 

Minnikhanov: The Events of 922 Have Important Historical Significance for Russia

 

Through the upcoming events dedicated to the celebration of the significant date, Muslims of Russia face an important task – to demonstrate their own rich heritage, achievements in preserving and developing traditional spiritual values and to show that the Muslim Ummah of Russia is an integral part of the Islamic world.


‘This will be facilitated by various international events, including through the Strategic Vision Group ‘Russia – Islamic World’ and within the framework of interaction with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The key events here are Izge Bolgar Zhyeny, the KazanSummit International Economic Forum, the All-Russian Forum of Tatar Religious Leaders, construction of the Cathedral Mosque, conferences, exhibitions, round tables and other scientific and cultural events across the country,’ Minnikhanov concluded.


‘Islam is an organic and integral part of the Russian code’


In his turn, Anatoly Vylegzhanin, Deputy Head of the Domestic Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, read out a greeting on behalf of Magomedsalam Magomedov, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.

 

Minnikhanov: The Events of 922 Have Important Historical Significance for Russia

 

‘The large-scale celebrations of the landmark date, organized by the decision of President of Russia Vladimir Putin, demonstrate that Islam is an organic and integral part of the Russian code, which is based on historical commonality of spiritual and moral values of followers of different religions that make up the united Russian nation. The celebration of the 1100th anniversary of adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria is a great chance for all the Russian citizens to realize the uniqueness and value of their national experience of intercultural interpenetration and interreligious interaction. I am convinced this will contribute to the development of the rich spiritual heritage of the Russian Muslims and to the consolidation of constructive traditions,’ the letter says.


Vylegzhanin also personally noted that the upcoming celebrations had nationwide scope and significance. Their meaning and main purpose is to demonstrate the depth and versatility of the country’s history, uniqueness of its culture, which has organically absorbed the wide range of traditions of the peoples of Russia.


‘One of the brightest colors in this range is Islam. It is impossible to overestimate the significance of the centuries-long history of involvement in the construction of our country’s rich heritage. The spread of Islam in the Caucasus, the Volga Region, Crimea and then in Central Russia had a fruitful impact on the development of national production, trade, social thought, science, education, poetry and other things. To preserve and increase these values is a duty before both our ancestors and our descendants, while the forthcoming celebrations is another, albeit small, step in order to fulfill this task,’ Anatoly Vylegzhanin concluded in his speech.

 

Minnikhanov: The Events of 922 Have Important Historical Significance for Russia

 

Olga Yarilova, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the Federal Organizing Committee, reminded that the federal plan of major events was approved on 7 December and included 6 sections and 71 events.


‘If we talk about the main areas of the upcoming celebrations, they include the construction and restoration of infrastructure facilities, development of symbols and souvenirs, publication of printed materials (gift and research works), production of video materials, creation of Internet resources, holding scientific forums, round tables, seminars, exhibitions and competitions,’ Yarilova shared the plans.


One of the key events will be the presentation of the film ‘Ibn Fadlan’, which describes the embassy to Volga Bulgaria, as well as traditional celebrations in Bolgar and the World Conference on Interreligious Dialogue in St Petersburg.


‘The city of the first printed Quran in the Muslim world’


Vasil Shaykhraziyev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, shared the Republic’s plans for the celebrations to mark the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam.

 

Minnikhanov: The Events of 922 Have Important Historical Significance for Russia

 

‘Among the milestone events that will take place this year are laying the foundation of the Cathedral Mosque, opening of the new building of the Russian Islamic Institute in Ufa and Nizhny Novgorod Fair Mosque, completion of restoration and opening of the Muhammadiya Madrasah complex, and development of infrastructure in Bolgar. Simultaneously, preparations to the publication and presentation of the text of the written monuments of the Bulgarian period, the encyclopedic dictionary ‘Islam in the Russian Federation’ in 8 volumes and pre-revolutionary works of theologians are underway. As far as the Republic’s plan of action is concerned, it comprises 39 points, including the Great Bulgar Festival, exhibition of Islamic culture ‘Islam Nury’, holding the international summer camp at the Bolgarian Islamic Academy, thematic performances, films and programs, videos, publications in mass media and presentation of the Russian version of the online madrasah,’ Shaykhraziyev said to the meeting participants.


The scientific community of Tatarstan is also working with the Bolgarian Islamic Academy on translations of texts of Bulgarian scholars from Arabic into Tatar and Russian languages, and on publication of facsimiles of the Arabic original. There will even be created a special website, where everyone will be able to find all the information about the history of Islam in the territory of modern Russia.

 

Minnikhanov: The Events of 922 Have Important Historical Significance for Russia

 

Kamil Hazrat Samigullin, Mufti of the Republic of Tatarstan, spoke about the activities of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan as part of the upcoming anniversary celebrations.


‘During the aforementioned meeting of the Strategic Vision Group in Jeddah, it was proposed to give Kazan the status of the ‘City of the First Printed Quran in the Muslim World’. Rustam Minnikhanov, I am glad to tell you that within the framework of the 1100th anniversary, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan will publish a new Kazan Quran based on a specially designed computer font ‘Kazan Basma’. This Tatar national computer font was developed during the entire year and was designed on the basis of the genuine authentic typographic print, which provided wide technical opportunities for modern book printing. The updated edition of ‘Kazan Basma’ will comply with the generally accepted world standards of Ar-Rasm Al-Usmani and take into account the observations outlined in the works by Musa Bigiev ‘Taskhih Resmi Khat’ and Marjani ‘Fawaid Al-Muhimma’,’ the Mufti explained during his speech.

 

Minnikhanov: The Events of 922 Have Important Historical Significance for Russia

 

In addition to it, today the presentation and official launch of a new project of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan – a handwritten mushaf of the Noble Quran – took place at the Kul Sharif Mosque in Kazan. The solemn event was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Strategic Vision Group ‘Russia – Islamic World’ Farit Mukhametshin. The symbolic start of the project began with calligraphy of the first surah of the Noble Quran, ‘Fatihah’, in the presence and with the blessing of many guests – participants of the Organizing Committee meeting, Muftis, prominent Muslim religious figures of Russia, government officials and representatives of scientific community and mass media. A professional calligrapher wrote surah lines on a canvas before their eyes.


This project will be of high scientific value for Russian Quranic studies and domestic Islamic theological thought. In addition, it will become a work of calligraphic art and first step towards the revival of the lost Russian-Muslim traditions in the Islamic science of Ilm Al-Hatt. The result of this work will be a handwritten mushaf written with the participation of the local theological community, and its replicated edition.


‘Major initiatives also include the documentary-film ‘Ibn Fadlan’. The film is currently in the process of shooting mass episodes. Since the film is historical, the creators pay much attention to stage costumes and their decoration. Apart from Kazan, the filming will also take place in Bukhara, Mashhad and St Petersburg. During 2021 various scenes for the film were shot in the Astrakhan Oblast, as well as in the Atninsky district and Kazan. Darul-Kutub, the electronic library of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan, will also get a new round of development. Since 2013 until today about 1600 ancient theological works published before 1913 have been digitized and posted on the website of the library. The website makes it possible to read these books online and download them for free. But the platform needs updating,’ the Mufti added.

 

Minnikhanov: The Events of 922 Have Important Historical Significance for Russia

 

Samigullin also reminded that in 2021 an all-Russian competition for the best brand ideas for the 1100th anniversary had been announced. Two winners were selected; based on their design proposals the logo was finalized and presented today at the meeting of the Republican Organizing Committee by Rishat Khamidullin, Deputy Mufti of Tatarstan for Information Policy and Director of the Khuzur Publishing House.

 

Minnikhanov: The Events of 922 Have Important Historical Significance for Russia

 

Khamidullin himself pointed out that the logo designers had faced the task to graphically show that Russia had rich and ancient history of the development of Islam in its territory and was an important part of the large Muslim world.


The logo, presented today at the meeting for approval, consists of 5 graphic elements, in the features of which it is easy to recognize the symbols of the ancient city of Bolgar and the religion of Islam. These are:


1.A silhouette of the Monument Sign in Bolgar. The landmark resembles a mosque and is built in accordance with the style and all the canons of ancient Bulgarian architecture. It is a visual embodiment of the birth of Muslim culture in the Volga region. The Monument Sign expresses respect and gratitude for the choice of the ancestors and points to the continuity of traditions.


2.The open book – the Quran. The Adab, rules for dealing with the scripture, forbids leaving the Quran open without any reason. Therefore, the open Quran in the logo highlights the desire of Muslims to continuously comprehend the wisdom of Allah and follow His precepts.


3.The petals of the tulip, which in Arabic script has an outline similar to the word ‘Allah’, represent a symbol of renewal, revival and heyday in Muslim culture. At the same time, a tulip is one of the most popular ornamental elements among the Tatar ancestors, occurring in traditional embroidery, as well as in interior decoration of mosques. Over the centuries, a tulip has gained new meanings. The religious meanings have been supplemented with a new interpretation: a tulip has become a symbol of striving for great achievements. Besides, the flower crowns the coat of arms of the Republic of Tatarstan, symbolizing its heyday.


4.The inscription ‘1100’ is made according to the rules of writing in Russian and Arabic. The inscription is structurally related to the tulip and the Quran.


5.The inscription ‘Bolgar’ in the Arabic language.
‘Bound together, the combination of all these elements represents 1100 years of development of the Quranic traditions of the Muslims of the Volga region, originating in the ancient city of Bolgar,’ Rishat Khamidullin explained.

 

 


Ilmira Gafiyatullina